Things to Consider before purchasing a home alarm

It’s a sad fact that home and business break-ins are on the rise, and experts predict that they will continue to rise in coming decades. Just a few years ago, having a home alarm may have been a deterrent for would-be thieves; but today, criminals are bolder than ever before. So if you’re looking to invest in a home alarm in Oak Park, or any other city across the country, keep these things in mind:

Having an alarm may not be enough: Here’s how most alarm systems work: someone breaks in, they don’t enter the code, the alarm goes off, and by the time the police are dispatched and arrive onsite, the burglars have scooped up cash, jewelry and other valuables and are long gone. You could look at grainy video, but in many cases, the quality is so bad that a positive identification is almost impossible. The solution? Make sure that your security company has state-of-the art monitoring capability and fast response times.

One mode of communication: Many alarm systems work through your telephone line. So what’s to stop someone from cutting the lines before they even enter, or ripping out the keypad on the wall before it actually goes into alarm mode. Solution? Make sure your security company uses several different communication methods, such as cell phone or radio monitoring, in addition to your telephone line.

Some companies assume all alarms are false: It’s a fact that almost 70% of alarms are due to user error. But some companies take this to mean that all alarms are false and don’t need to be actioned. The solution? Make sure your alarm company takes all alarms seriously and acts accordingly.

Security monitoring companies, such as Alert Protective Services uses several modes of communications, enhanced monitoring services and quick reaction times in the event of a break-in or emergency. Follow us on twitter.